“We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2.3-5
According to the very resourceful (and sometimes reliable) Wikipedia — “In His Steps is a best-selling religious fiction novel written by Charles Monroe Sheldon. First published in 1896, the book has sold more than 50,000,000 copies, and ranks as one of the best-selling books of all time. The full title of the book is In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do?.”
In His Steps was based upon 1 John 2.6 — “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” It is written as a story of a pastor of church in the late 1800’s who is convicted about trying to live out the very literal commands of Jesus, and he challenges his congregation to do the same. It’s an inspiring and intriguing book that brings with it conviction for the church and compassion for the lost.
As John continues his letter, he challenges the readers to not simply say, “I know Jesus,” but to do what he commands. If a person does not do what Jesus says that person is a “liar…and the truth is not in that person.” Yet on the flip side (and this is our decision) if we obey the word of God, then “God’s love is truly made complete in them.” And, “this is how we know we are in him.”
I would enjoy having the love of God made truly complete in my life. Yet the lack of obedience and holiness gets in the way. If I were to ask myself in every situation, like Charles Sheldon writes and from which the phrase “What Would Jesus Do” or WWJD comes, then I would be moving closer to being like Jesus. I too often think what Jesus would do but I tend to ignore the answer. As Paul writes, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
Today is a brand new day in which we have the opportunity to try again and to “do what he commands.” The truth lives in us as we trust and follow Jesus, why not continue seeking to walk as he walked through the power of the Holy Spirit? Although my flesh might be weak, my God is strong. He can do more than I hope for or imagine.
Take this challenge of WWJD today with me by seeking to respond in every situation with a Christ-like, God-filled, loving response to the world around us.
“O Lord God, you are good. I praise you Lord and glorify your name. I trust you Lord for you loving kindness and for allowing me to walk as you walked. Today is a good day and it is your day. I have breath in my lungs, blood in my veins, and life in my spirit. You are the God who created me to be in fellowship with you. Come now, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I might walk as you walked and so be completed in love. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen